The circuit mourns Thiem's retirement

Fernando Murciego | 23 Oct 2024 | 11.00

This is how Dominic Thiem's own teammates bid farewell to him. Source: Getty

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If you have been following tennis for the past ten years, I understand that today is a difficult day for you. Last night, at the ATP 500 in Vienna, Dominic Thiem played his final professional match at 31. The Austrian prince, the one who was supposed to inherit the Big3 castle, the champion of the 2020 US Open, one of the best one-handed backhands on tour, and one of the best individuals to have stepped onto a tennis court, is leaving. Melancholy also lingers within the locker room, where some of his peers spoke to ATP to share a brief analysis of what Thiem means to them. He hasn't left yet, and we already miss him.

Matteo Berrettini: "He was a very complete player, he had it all. The backhand, forehand, serve, good mobility, fought for every ball as if it were his last, and had great hands. It was always very tough facing him. We played on many different surfaces, but the first time was at the 2018 French Open on clay. I remember a very high intensity; he stayed fresh until the end, and that's when I realized how much I had to work to beat him. That was his strength, and I admire him a lot for the energy he always brought to the court."

Alex De Miñaur: "His physical strength was impressive, how heavy his ball was from both sides. Usually, people with a one-handed backhand struggle to get that heaviness in the ball, but he never had that issue; he worked very hard for it. The intensity he put into everything was impressive, but above all, I would highlight what a great human being he is, in addition to being an incredible athlete. I've always had a lot of respect for him."

Grigor Dimitrov: "Dominic was a very special player to me. There was a time, because of his results and the way he was playing, also having a one-handed backhand, where he presented a great challenge for me. He made me improve in various aspects of my game. Especially on clay, for example, where he pushed me to work hard to play well over the years. We faced each other several times, so I wish him all the best because he is an incredible guy. Always humble, kind, and I have fond memories of our time together."

Taylor Fritz: "I feel he was one of the first guys to start challenging the big names. He played in an era where Novak, Rafa, Roger were unbeatable, along with Andy. He was one of the first to break that dominance and start beating them. He hit the ball big, was incredible on clay, and just before his injury began to excel on all surfaces. For the younger players, it was very exciting to see all that he was achieving, showing us that those dominant players were beatable and leading the way for the next generation."

Jannik Sinner: "I never played against Dominic in an official match, but as a human being, he has been amazing. No matter what his ranking was or how young he was, he always greeted you or had conversations with others. I still hope to see him at tournaments because he brings such positive energy to the locker room and the dining areas. I think all the players will miss him."

Carlos Alcaraz: "I had the opportunity to watch him play a lot; we shared some tournaments. I remember when I played my first ATP in Rio 2020, I had the chance to practice with him. I was super excited that day; I had seen him beat the best, win big tournaments, have a great career. In fact, my younger brother was a big fan of Dominic; he plays with his racquet instead of mine, so he always watched his matches. I often heard my brother saying, 'I want to play like him, with the same racquet and style.' In my family, we hold him in very high regard."

Kei Nishikori: "I always enjoyed watching his tennis, especially his backhand and his mental endurance. He was a very powerful player with his shots on clay. It feels strange not having him around during this time. He had a beautiful backhand; not many people have that, so it's very sad to lose him. I hope he was able to enjoy playing at home for the last time."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El circuito llora la retirada de Thiem